Wire spreader for use in weaving a diamond mesh wire panel



y 1955 M. J. CROUCH 2,708,454

WIRE SPREADER FOR USE IN WEAVING A DIAMOND MESH WIRE PANEL Filed Oct. 9, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l QJED '\1 o "T' Q A 3 LE] 1i i NVENTOR.

I MARSHALL J- CROUCH Q LMfM- MwGwU ATTORNEYS May 17, 1955 M. J. CROUCH 2,708,454

WIRE SPREADER FOR USE IN WEAVING A DIAMOND MESH WIRE PANEL Filed Oct. 9, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. MARSHALL J- CROUCH fi w vsum ATTORNEYS United States atent WIRE SPREADER FOR USE IN WEAVING A DIAMOND MESH PANEL Marshaii J. Crouch, San Francisco, Calif. Application Gctober 9, 1953, Serial No. 385,254

6 Claims. (Cl. 139--28) This invention relates to a Wire spreader for use in weaving a diamond mesh wire panel, and has for its objects the provision of a device or spreader that is adapted to quickly and easily spring the free ends of alternate lengths of the wire to one side of the plane of the diamond mesh wire panel that is being woven so that the cross wire can be quickly inserted between said alternate lengths and the lengths therebetween.

Diamond mesh wire panels of the type with which this invention is concerned are woven by hand. Machines for automatically weaving the wire have been attempted, but have not met with success.

The lengths of wire used in the panels extend at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the panel that is being Woven. Said lengths are of heavy gauge wire that is kinked at equally spaced points to provide complementarily formed recesses at the points where the wires of the panel cross so that the cross wires will be interlocked at their crossing points. The panels may be of any desired width. Three to six foot widths are common. In a panel of say five feet in width, the wires used for weaving the panel will obviously be of uniform length substantially longer than five feet, since they extend at an angle of 45 to the length of the panel.

Heretofore some weavers have employed a flat sided strip of metal as a spreader to create a shed adjacent to the weaving point. Such strip is threaded between the free unwoven ends of the parallel lengths so that the adjacent wires of the pairs thereof are at opposite sides of the strip, or alternate wires are along one side of the strip with the others on the other side. By rotating the strip on its longitudinal axis so that the greatest width of the strip is at right angles to the wires, opposite sides of the strip will be sprung apart to produce a shed into which the next cross will be inserted. The strip is then withdrawn and rethreaded so that the free ends of the wires that were previously sprung to either side of the plane of the panel will be sprung to the opposite sides preparatory to inserting another cross wire.

This method is, if anything, slower than that where the newly added wires are merely threaded between the unwoven parallel free ends of the wire without attempting to create a shed, since the spreader strip must be entirely withdrawn and rethreaded between said free ends in right angle crossing relation after each wire of the weave is added.

By the most common method that is employed, no spreader is used, but instead, the wires that are woven are threaded manually between the unwoven parallel free ends of the wires and then by sheer force applied by the fingers, each newly added wire is drawn toward the previously inserted and previously interlocked wire, and thus force is applied against the progressively increasing resistance produced by the tension of said free ends against the wire that is being drawn into place until the newly added wire snaps into final locking relation to the previously woven wires. This method is extremely tiring on the fingers of the operator and is slow, since the threading of the wires in the absence of a preformed shed requires considerable time, and the wires that are being inserted can easily be misplaced thereby requiring a rethreading of the wire.

With the present invention the objections above mentioned with respect to the use of the old type spreader and also with respect to the commonly used method of weaving, are overcome, and an operator can readily weave from two to three times as much wire as heretofore in the same amount of time without objectionable tiring of the fingers, and with greater accuracy than heretofore. Furthermore, the panel that is Woven is superior to panels woven by the above described methods.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and in the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevational View of the head of the device (the handle being broken away to accommodate the view of the sheet) in a position preparatory to springing alternate free end portions of parallel wires from the others.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the device of Fig. 1 (including the handle) in which the device is in a position holding alternate free parallel ends sprung to one side of the plane of the panel so that a wire can be added to the woven part. Some of the Wires are shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary top elevational view of the device of Fig. 2 (reduced size) and which device is broken in length.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of the device of Fig. 3, as seen from the rear side, said device also being broken in length.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the woven wire.

Fig. 6 is a semi-diagrammatic top plane View of a panel that is being woven with the device of Figs. 1 to 5 in position on the free unwoven ends of the wire, and in a position for insertion of a wire in the weaving process, the latter wire being shown in the process of being inserted across its free unwoven ends of the wires. 7

In detail, the device of this invention comprises an elongated member generally designated 1, which may be an angle strip, and this strip, in use, is normally horizontally extending with one side 2 extending downwardly and the other side 3 disposed generally horizontally from the upper edge of theside 2.

The materials used throughout are preferably of metal, aluminum, magnesium and alloys thereof have been found to be suitable and have the advantage of being light in weight, but any material having sufiicient rigidity and strength to withstand the strains that are imposed in the operation may be used.

The side 3 is formed with notches 4 (Fig. 4) at equally spaced points therealong, thus providing sections 5 between said notches, and rigidly secured to each of said sections 5 is a laterally projecting piece 6 that extends below and in opposed spaced relation to the upper side 2 of the device. Each piece 6 extends from the lower end of each section 5, and for all practical purposes the pieces 6 may beintegral with the angle strip 1.

Rigidly secured to the angle piece is a row of elements 7, that may be in the form of relatively short light rods, and these extend from the juncture between sides 2, 3 outwardly of side 3 and in a direction oppositely away from side 2. Preferably the elements 7' are slanted downwardly from said juncture so that their outer ends are preferably at a level slightly below the closed upper end of each notch 4, and their outer ends terminate in end portions 10 that extend at least at right angles to the remainder of each element, and in a horizontal direction substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the angle strip 1. Thus the 3 elements 7 may be said to be generally hooked at their outer ends.

An elongated handle 11 is pivotally secured to the side 2 at a point about midway between the ends of member 1 by means of a vertical pivot 12 (Fig. '2) so that the arm may swing horizontally when side 2 is horizontal, and the outer end of handle 11 is bent downwardly, as at 13 and portion 13 is preferably slightly longer than the distance between the pieces 6 and side 2.

The lower end of the bent portion 13 is formed to provide a hook 14 (Fig. 4) that extends laterally in the same general direction as the longitudinal axis of the memhers I when handle 11 is in a position extending at right angles to said member.

Preferably the pieces 6 may be centrally recessed on their under sides and at their outer ends, as at 15 (Fig. 4}. These recesses may be formed by merely striking the central portion of each piece 6 upwardly at the outer end of each piece. As will later be described more in detail, these recesses 15 function to receive portions of the parallel wires of the panel so as to stabilize the device on the wires when the wires are spread apart for forming a shed.

In the use of the term panel in this description, it is to be understood that in the weaving of diamond mesh wire, a long or short strip may be woven. As already mentioned, these strips may be of any desired width, subject to practical limitations, short or long, according to where it is to be used. In Fig. 6 one end of a panel or strip (the end being woven) is shown. The wires are of uniform length for a uniform width panel 21. seen in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, are preformed with uniformly spaced kinks 22 so that the wires will interlock with each other at their crossing points and so that the mesh that is formed will be uniform in size and the edges of the panel will be straight.

In Figure 6, panel 21 is being formed, and the device of the invention is in a position extending at right angles across the free ends of the parallel lengths of wire 23 that extend in one direction. The wires 24 that extend at right angles to the wires 23 are the ones that are being added to the panel. After the weaving has progressed to a certain point the weaving device will be moved to extend across the free ends of the wires 24 and then wires 23 will be the ones that are added. This shifting back and forth continues until the panel reaches the desired length, and then the free ends are cut off to square the end of the panel if a square end is desired, which is the normal case.

The use of the present invention is as follows, it being assumed that the positions shown in Figs. 1, 2 substantially correspond to that of Fig. 6.

The device is first positioned across the free parallel ends of wires 23 extending at right angles to the latter and spaced from the last cross wire 24 that has been added to the panel.

The member 1 is then tilted to the position shown in Fig. l by swinging the handle 11 upwardly, and the end portions 10 of the elements 7 can then be readily slipped under the free ends of alternate wires 25 (Fig. 6). The pieces 6 that are part of sections 5 will then rest on the alternate wires 26 that are respectively between wires 25. Upon swinging the handle 11 downwardly, the wires 25 and 26 will be sprung to opposite sides of the plane of the panel to form a shed 27 (Fig. 2), and by pivoting the handle so that the hook 14 will slip under one of the wires 25, or 26 in the woven portion and adjacent to the point of weave, the shed will be maintained to permit a wire 24- to be quickly slipped into said shed and which wire can then be quickly positioned where it will finally remain without requiring any material force for the reason that the tension of wires 25, 26 is either almost or entirely taken off the wire 24.

As soon as the wire 24 is in the correct final position, the handle 11 is pivoted to release the hook 14 and wires 25, 26 will spring to interlocking relation with the last added wire 24. The member 1 is then slightly shifted so These wires, as o iii) that the elements 7 will engage the wires 26 with pieces 6 disposed on wires 25 and the springing of the wires apart is repeated, except that wires 26 will be moved up instead of down, and wires 25 will be moved down.

The recess 15 on pieces 6 functions to stabilize the device on the wires.

It is to be understood that the member 1 may be of any desired length and the member of the elements 7 and pieces 6 and their spacing may be changed according to the size of the panel to be woven, the gauge of wire, the mesh size, etc.

I claim:

l. A device for use in Weaving a diamond mesh wire panel that comprises an elongated member having a row of equally spaced wire engaging elements projecting therefrom for engaging one of the corresponding sides of the free end portions of alternate parallel lengths of partially woven wire when said member is in engagement with the sides of said lengths opposite said corresponding sides and when said member is in a position extending at right angles across said lengths and, means for moving said elements to one side of the plane of said panel about the longitudinal axis of said member for springing the free end portions engaged by said elements away from the free end portion of the other lengths of wire between said alternate lengths to facilitate the insertion of a wire parallel with said member to a position between said alternate lengths and said other lengths.

2. A device for use in weaving a diamond mesh wire panel that comprises an elongated member having a row of equally spaced wire engaging elements projecting therefrom for engaging one of the corresponding sides of the free end portions of alternate parallel lengths of partially woven wire when said member is in engagement with the sides of said lengths opposite said corresponding sides and when said member is in a position extending at right angles across said lengths and, means for moving said elements to one side of the plane of said panel about the longitudinal axis of said member for springing the free end portions engaged by said elements away from the free end portion of the other lengths of wire between said alternate lengths to facilitate the insertion of a wire parallel with said member to a position between said alternate lengths and said other lengths, means for securing said member including said elements in a position holding said alternate lengths of wire sprung to one side of said plane.

3. A wire spreader for use in springing the free ends of alternate parallel lengths of wire in a partially woven diamond mesh wire panel away from the free ends of other lengths that are between and parallel with said alternate parallel lengths comprising; an elongated member of rigid material adapted to extend across one side, the free ends of said alternate and said other parallel lengths at right angles thereto; said member having portions in a row extending longitudinally of said member equally spaced apart for engaging each of said other lengths with the spaces between said portions over said alternate lengths, elements carried by said member respectively ad-- jacent to each of said spaces between said portions for engaging said alternate lengths and positioned to hold said alternate lengths in said spaces and spring to one side of the plane of said panel when said portions are against said other lengths, and means on said member projecting to one side thereof for engaging one of the wires in a woven section of said panel when said alternate and other free ends are sprung apart for holding said free ends so sprung apart.

4. A wire spreader for use in springing the free ends of alternate parallel lengths of wire in a partially woven diamond mesh wire panel away from the free ends of other lengths that are between and parallel with said alternate parallel lengths comprising; an elongated member of rigid material adapted to extend across one side, the free ends of said alternate and said other parallel lengths at right angles thereto; said member having portions in a row extending longitudinally of said member equally spaced apart for engaging each of said other lengths with the spaces between said portions over said alternate lengths, elements carried by said member respectively adjacent to each of said spaces between said portions for engaging said alternate lengths and positioned to hold said alternate lengths in said spaces and spring to one side of the plane of said panel when said portions are against said other lengths, and means on said member projecting to one side thereof for engaging one of the wires in a woven section of said panel when said alternate and other free ends are sprung apart for holding said free ends so sprung apart, said last mentioned means being an arm pivotally secured at one end to said member and formed with a hook at the other end.

5. A wire spreader for use in springing the free ends of alternate parallel lengths of wire in a partially woven diamond mesh wire panel away from the free ends of other lengths that are between and parallel with said alternate parallel lengths comprising; an elongated member of rigid material adapted to extend across one side, the free ends of said alternate and said other parallel lengths at right angles thereto; said member having portions in a row extending longitudinally of said member equally spaced apart for engaging each of said other lengths with the spaces between said portions over said alternate lengths, elements carried by said member respectively adjacent to each of said spaces between said portions for engaging said alternate lengths and positioned to hold said alternate lengths in said spaces and spring to one side of the plane of said panel when said portions are against said other lengths, and means on said member projecting to one side thereof for engaging one of the wires in a woven section of said panel when said alternate and other free ends are sprung apart for holding said free ends so sprung apart, said member being a strip formed with notches along one edge to provide said spaces, and the parts of said strip between said notches being said portions that are adapted to em gage said other free ends of said wires.

6. A wire spreader for use in springing the free ends of alternate parallel lengths of wire in a partially woven diamond mesh wire panel away from the free ends of other lengths that are between and parallel with said alternate parallel lengths comprising; an elongated member of rigid material adapted to extend across one side, the free ends of said alternate and said other parallel lengths at right angles thereto; said member having portions in a row extending longitudinally of said member equally spaced apart for engaging each of said other lengths with the spaces between said portions over said alternate lengths, elements carried by said member respectively adjacent to each of said spaces between said portions for engaging said alternate lengths and positioned to hold said alternate lengths in said spaces and spring to one side of the plane of said panel when said portions are against said other lengths, and means on said member projecting to one side thereof for engaging one of the wires in a woven section of said panel when said alternate and other free ends are sprung apart for holding said free ends so sprung apart, said memher being a strip formed with notches along one edge to provide said spaces, and the parts of said strip between said notches being said portions that are adapted to engage said other free ends of said wires, said elements being identical and projecting outwardly from said strip to one side of the latter, the outer end of each of said elements being positioned in the laterally projected area of each notch and each such outer end being bent to provide a relatively short end section extending in the same general direction as the longitudinal axis of said member to enable each section to be slipped under each of said alternate parallel lengths to the sides of the latter that are opposite the sides across which said member is adapted to extend.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 538,812 Bancroft et al. May 7, 1895 539,405 Bancroft May 21, 1895 1,351,233 Denby Aug. 31, 1920 FOREIGN PATENTS 330,382 Germany Dec. 14, 1920 

